“I’m bored.”
“I feel anxious all the time.”
“I miss my old friends.”
Individuals in addiction recovery often share similar complaints, and justifiably so. Early recovery can be a challenging time. Change takes place slowly, and adjusting to life without drugs or alcohol can be like living in a foreign country or speaking a new language. This new life may be unfamiliar, lonely and a little bit scary.
But you are not alone. Others share your trepidation and have learned to overcome the negativity and embrace the many blessings of being clean and sober.
Here are some of the most common complaints among people in early recovery, as well as ways to overcome them:
“I have no friends,” or “My friends say I’m not fun to be around anymore.”
After completing drug rehab, it is likely that you will need to cut ties with your old drug-abusing friends, and meet new people who are supportive of your recovery and who live healthy, drug-free lives. This process takes time and may require you to get involved in local community activities, church groups or other social outlets. Until you develop a social network of your own, 12-Step meetings, aftercare and alumni groups, and family can provide a needed source of support and camaraderie.
“I feel depressed and anxious.”
Before drug rehab, you probably used drugs and alcohol to deal with uncomfortable feelings. Now that you no longer use chemicals to cope, you will need to practice a new approach to managing these emotions.
Prolonged drug use can make it difficult to feel pleasure. Feelings of sadness, loneliness and anxiety are common in early recovery, but can be managed with the coping skills you learned in drug rehab. If these feelings persist, you may need to consult with a mental health professional to determine if you may be struggling with an underlying mood or anxiety disorder that requires treatment.
“There’s nothing to do.”
Boredom is a common complaint among individuals in early recovery from addiction. When you stop spending time partying or seeking out and using drugs or alcohol, a space opens in your life. The good news is that there are endless ways to fill this space, including sports leagues, art classes, exercise, new hobbies or a part-time job. If you spend your days feeling productive and excited about the new opportunities awaiting you, you’ll have less time to feel bored and unfulfilled.
“I still want to use.”
Completing a stay in drug rehab is an excellent first step on the road to recovery, but it doesn’t mean you won’t ever experience another drug craving or trigger to use. In fact, many people experience the urge to use drugs or alcohol for months and even years after getting sober. A smell, a song on the radio, passing by an old hangout – all of these can spark the desire to use.
Over time, drug cravings typically lessen in frequency and severity. More importantly, you will become more comfortable identifying triggers and finding healthy ways to cope with them without jeopardizing your recovery.
Early recovery is a time to take inventory of your life and rediscover your values and goals. Sometimes that means facing a few growing pains as you adjust to your new life. But these struggles are temporary and will likely resolve themselves with time, patience and a commitment to making healthy decisions every day.